About to place an offer on a leasehold flat in Highgate. The selling agents say that it is normal for flats in Highgate to have less than 75 years left on the lease. I am expecting a mortgage with Chelsea Building Society. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 72 years remaining.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 22/7/2025 the requirements read as follows :
My wife and I buying a detached bungalow in Highgate. Our aim is to an extension at the rear at the property.Will the conveyancing process include investigations to ascertain if these works were previously refused?
Your conveyancer should check the deeds as conveyancing in Highgate can sometimes reveal restrictions in the title deeds which restrict certain works or need the permission of a 3rd party. Many extensions require local authority planning permissions and approval in compliance with building regulations. Some locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or affect extensions. You should check these things with a surveyor prior to committing yourself to a purchase.
It is unclear whether my lender requires a lease extension. I have called into my local Highgate building society branch on numerous occasions and was told it wasn't an issue and they will lend. My Highgate conveyancing solicitor - who is on the bank conveyancing panel- called to say that they refuse to lend based on their specific requirements. Who do I believe?
Provided that the property lawyer is on the lender approved list, she or he must comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook requirements for the lender. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the lender will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.
I have instructed a Highgate lawyer having checked that they are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
Kent Reliance will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Kent Reliance will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your conveyancing practitioner will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Highgate postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Kent Reliance, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Highgate.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £305k and found one round the corner in Highgate I like with amenity areas and station in the vicinity, however it's only got 61 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Highgate for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?
If you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will be a potential deal breaker. Discount the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing owner has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you can request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor concerning this.
How does the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 affect my business property in Highgate and how can your lawyers assist?
The 1954 Act affords security of tenure to commercial lessees, granting the a statutory right to apply to court for a renewal lease and remain in occupation at the end of the lease term. There are limited grounds that a landlord can refuse a lease renewal and the rules are complex. We are happy to direct you to commercial conveyancing firms who use the act for protection and handle your commercial conveyancing in Highgate
I am buying a flat and need a conveyancing solicitor in Highgate who is on the mortgage company conveyancing panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a Highgate conveyancing firm?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for the mortgage company who do conveyancing in Highgate. We dont recommend any particular conveyancing practice.